Washing apparatus



Jan. 3, 1939. F. A. wALKER 2,142,928

WASHING APPARATUS original Filed May 3, 1935 3 snee'ts-sneet 2 Figi. 3| 0 O O u I z O I I LD M24 5;, w i 28 14 6/ 25 27 l 2 V 56e Flg: 5 w

' 4).| i 2 n n l mln-lunuuumm Inventor: For-Fest A. WalKeF;

His Attor'neg.

Jan. 3, 1989. A, WALKER 2,142,928

WASHING APPARATUS Original Filed May 3, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Pig. 6.

In ve'ntcm'` For-Fest A. WaIKeP,

by #Mu/ 1) His Attorneg.

Patented Jan. 3, 1939 .UNITED .s

mesneass'ignments, to Edison General? Electric' w. .'Applianceompany, Inc., aloorporationofNew' York' .w i. i originalasiieznmmyamsa; serum 9,832, Divided and-'niu This invention rclates to washing app'ara tus."`"`7- more particularly to dishwashing apparatus, and it has for its object the provision o fimproved i apparatus of this character.

While not limited thereto, the invention has partioular'application' to dishwashing appara'tus' wherein a cleansing liquid, such as water, is oil'- culated in-the washing vat through dish-supporting racks by suitable powerdriven' means, such assigned to the sameassignee as'this application.

In this copending application, there is 'described and claimed a sig'nal system for indicating to the attendant when a predetermined quantity of washing liquid ha'sv been`= supplied to the washing vat. As there described, a suitable signal device is. controlled'to givean indication by the fiow of liquid through'a suitable mairi- V mum liquid level overfiow. In oth'er words, when a maximum free liquid level has been established in the vat, that is, when a pre'determined quantity of liquid has been supplied to'the` vat; the liquid which flows out of the overfiow operates to cause the signal device to g'ive an -indication.

If when the liquid is being supplied to the vat,

the liquid circulating impeller-be Operating it is impossible to establish a'free liquid l'evel in' the vat and hence, it 'is not possible'to obtain a correct measure of the quantityl of oliquid that-has been supplied. It is an object of this invention to provide suitable interlocking means `between the liquid supply means and the impeller so that when the former is operated to admitv liquid to the vat, the impeller cannot 'be -operated.

Conversely, when the impeller is operating'it is not possible to admit liquid to the vat. i

For a more complete understanding of thisv invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a Vertical elevation of dishwashing apparatus 'embodyi'ng this invention, portions being shown insection and..parts being broken away so as to illustrate certain details'of construction; Figl.2'=isra fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig'. 3 is' a"fragmentary plan view of. a portion. of the appa'ratusv shown in Fig. 2 parts being. broken away-and parts being shown in section so as to iilustrate certain details of construction; Fig. 4 is a sectionat'view taken through-the line'J-L4 .of Fig.-3'-and look` ing in the directionof the arrows; Fig. 5 v'is a sectional view taken through the line"'15'-5` of Fig.l 3 and looking in the direction of thear'rows; Fig. 6 is an elevation illustrating a `portion 'o'f the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Fig-:z'lfis a diagrammatlc view illustratinga signal 'device used in the washing appara-tus of Fgs. .1 .to 6, together with controlling mechanismtherefor..v

applicationjluxie' lg.. 1936;

' thejihteriorofth vat'.

`- the .botftom pending application;

ing IS arrangedicentrally o'fLthe vat.

v opening is a suitable lr'npell'e'r T5, arrangedto rotate on an axis substantiailyvcoax'ial withthe central Vertical axis'of the' vat,L and'the opening f'el'ec'trlc motor-*ll 'mounte'd below the 'bottomwall of the vat and having its haft. |8 extending through the ope'nng` 5 andioperably connected with'rthe'impeller I` h e motbr Il i's supported 1335,25

-bot'to'm wall of' the vat; asshown in,Figs.1 and. ,2.

poi't for. lthe l'motor' l' l alsoj functions fioconvey fresh "cieanslng water 'to the; 'to condu'ct' soile'd water from'ithervat'to fa' suit-fi* *able drainf' Thejframe |9, a' s shown, is provided with an inlet or fresh cleaiising' fluid supply conduit 20, and further, with an vinternal vChamber 2| constituting a' irainl chaxnber.

a metallic'framelil, whichis mounted below theA The bottom 23 of the 'drain'chazfiber is "pro-" vided with a reentrant portion Z'3a, whic h.,su`rrounds, the moto'i'shaft 18,,and'which vsupports in'v 'an upright lposition atubular member 24 arranged'about'the shaftand lin spacedrelatiom provided'with'aglosure portion'f which cond 'an pright .tubulanporsleeve 28 is n'iinitd 'ont'hef'tbular' 'p'orti'on 21' of the -valve to control the 'maximum free liquid 'level'iperm'itted in the vat.""-'-" The drain hamber 2+ communicates with 'a drain ico'nduit 29--7through a 'lateralport 3D' .(Fig 4) The supply passageway 20 communicates with "the vat Il through a'suitable reaction spray device 3|; as' des'cribed in'my above-menti'oned co'- pending application. A suitable supply conduit 32' connected with 'a suitable sourceof clea'nsing liquid supply, such as a hot water tank (not shown), is connected with the supply passageway 20; the supply of 'water to the vat is controlled by means of a suitable valve 33. A second control valve-34 is provided but this normally will be in its open position, the control of the liquid to the vat normally being controlled solely by the valve 33.

'The drain valve 25 is operated by means of a suitable' control knob 35 which is slipprt'd on a valve 25 to elevate it and thereby permit the vat to drain. I t will be observed that if the knob 35 be rotated. in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, from its position of Fig.. 1 to its positionl of Fig. 6 it will move the lever 38 in a counter-clockwise direction. This .operation of.

the lever -38 will move the lever 4| in' a counterclcckwise directicn which will lower. the collar 42 to permit the drain valve to close by 'gravity When the knob 35 is'returned to its position shown in Flg. 1, the drain valve 25 is moved to its open position and' is held in this position by the lever 31 which moves through a central position and contacts a stop. 42a carried by panel 35. A similar stop 42b is provided on the panel for limiting movement of lever 31 .in'a clockwise direction.

The liquid supply valve 33 is controlled by means of a knob 43 similar to the knob 35. The

knob 43 is connected to operate a shaft 43a. which operates a lever 44.' The lever 44 is connected to a link 45 which connects the lever 44 with a lever 46.4 'I'hevlever .46 in turn is. connected to the valve 33 to operate it. When the knob 43 is -rotated in a clockwise direction from'its position shown in Fig. 1 to its position shown in Fig. 6, the liquid supply valve will be opened, whereas when it is returned tothe position of Fig. 1, the liquid supply valve will be closed. A stop 48a is provided on a* panel 36 for the .link 44 in its position of Fig. 6.

The energization of the impeller motor |1 is Controlled by means of a switch 41, the operation of which is controiled by means of a knob 48 that is similar to the vknobs 35 and 43. The knob 48 operates a shaft 48a which in turn operates a switch-operating lever 48h. The lever operates the switch 41 between its open and closed positions. The switch is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7. As there shown, the impeller motor 'l1 is provided with a suitable source of electrical supply 49 and is connected with the supply source through the controlling switch 41. When the knob 48 is rotated in a clcckwise direction from its position shown in Fig. 1, it will operate the switch to energize the impeller motor, whereas when the knob is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1, it will deenergize the impeller motor.

As pointed out previously, the drain valve 25 determines the maximum free liquid level that.

mum quantity of water which is permitted to The shaft' 40 extends into drain accumulate in the vat. It is contemplated that the collar 28 will be so adjusted that When the maximum free liquid level rises to the point of .overfiow, the proper q'uantity of water will have been supplied to the vat for a washing operation.

As described in my above copending application, one fo`1'm of'my signalling means for indicating when the maximum level has been supplied comprises a suitable incandescent lamp 50. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7, the incandescent lamp 50 is also energized from the supply, source 49. The energization of the lamp is controlled by means of a switch 53. The switch 53 in turn .is controlled by means of a lever 54 comprising a shaft 55, the lever arm 55a mounted upon the shaft and supportng the movablecontact of the switch 53, and further, alever arm 55b'arranged within the drain chamber 2|, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The lever arm 55b supports a suitable spoon 56. The spoon 55, as shown, is pivotally supported upon the lever arm 55b. The spoon is provided with a pair of triangul'ar shaped sides 55a which have their left-hand ends, -as viewed in Figs. 4 and 7 joined together by a rear wall 56D and which at their front taper downwardly to merge with the bottom wall 55c of the spoon. Normally, the spoon occupies the position it has in these figures.

'applicatiomthe spoon 55 is located in the drain chamber 2| so as to engage the fiuid which overfiows the drain valve to operate the switch 53 to energize the lamp 50. Thus, when the liquid supply valve 33 is opened to permit liquid to flow into the vat and the free liquid level rises to the point ofoverflow and the liquid does over-flow the drain valve, the water directed into the spoon 55 will collect therein and will operate the lever arm 55a to cause the switch to close.

Preferably, and as shown, the collar 42 will be provided with an annular channel 56d having adischarge lip 56e arranged so that liquid overflow'lng the drain valve drains into channel 55d and from the channel ilows through the lip 55a directly into the spoon 56.

The spoon is counterbalanced by means of a weight 58 adjustably mounted on the lever arm 55a. The weight is adjusted so thatwhen the spoon is empty, the lever arm will be held in its switch opening position.

The spoon 56, however, when filled will hold the switch 53 closed while the machine is operating and until the drain valve 25v is operated to its open position. When the drain valve is operated to its open position,.it operates an arm or lever 51 secured to the valve shaft 40 to engage the lever arm 55a. so as to move the switch 53 to its open position. When the lever arm 55a is thus operated, it elevates the spoon so that its forward end engages a stop 58. -This tilts the spoon to empty its contents directly into the drain chamber, and permits the weight 55 to move the spoon to its switch open position shown in Figs. 4 and '1.'

As pointed out previously, it is necessary that` the impeller motor be deenergized while liquid is being supplied to the vat. In other words, it is necessary that there be a free liquid level in the vat while the vat is being supplied with liquid for the washing operation. If the impeller wereoperating. during this operation, it would-en'gage the liquid as it is supplied to the vat and hurl it upwardly and outwardlyin the vat so that it would be impossible' for the drain valve to functlon to measure a suitable quantity of water. In

i amaaas motor respectively. This. means comprises aV suitable slide bar 59 mounted upon the panel v36.

by means of a pairv of clips 60.' Each of the shafts '43a and 48a is provided'on its. sides with flat portions 6| and 62 respectively. The bar 58.

vat, it will be impossible to turn the supply, knob 43 from its offposition;

This interlocking means positively prevents operation of'the impeller when the valve 33 is opened to supply liquid to the vat. It'thus insures functioning of the signal lamp to give anindication when the predetermined desired quantity of liquid has been supplied tothe vat.` Moreover, when the proper quantity has been supplied, and the impeller is operating, the interlock prevents operation of the liquid supply valve to admit any more liquid to the vat` While I have shown a particular embodiment i of my invention, it will be understood, of course,

that -I do 'not wish to be limited thereto since many modlfications may be made, and I, thereyfore, contemplate by 'the appended claims to tions, that for said valve when moved from 'its' one to its other position opening said valve and when returned'to said one position closing said? valve, and that forv said circulating means causing it to operate to circulate liquidv in the vat when moved from one to the other position and causing Vit to cease Operating When returned to said one position, and interlocking means between said pair of control members constructed and arranged so that they can be selectively operated manuallyfrom their said-one to their other controlling positions .either to open the valve to supply liquid to the vat or to operate the liquid circulating means, but when either control member has been so operated, the other member can'- not be until that which has been operated is returned to its. said one position, which operation releases said other member, whereby liquid cannot be circulated in said vat as long as liquid is being supplied to it, and liquid cannot be supplied as long as said circulating means is operating. i

2. Dishwashlng apparatus comprising a vat, liquid supply and drain conduits connected to said vat, liquid supply and drain valves controlling said conduits respectively, said drain valve constructed and arranged to provide for the overflow of liquid to said drain conduit when a predetermined maximum free llquldlevel is established in said vat, an impeller in said vat arranged to engage the liquid therein so as to circulate it in said |vfat, a motor for driving said impeller, a switch controlling said motor, a pair of knobs controlling the operationl of said liquid supply valve and said switch respectively, and interlocking means between the knobs arranged so that when said knobcontrolling said liquid `supply valve has been operatedto supply liquid to said vat, said control knob for said switch cannot ,be operated to. effect the 'operation of vsaid motor to drive said impeller' to circulate liquid in said vat until said liquid supply valve has been shut, thereby obviating disturbance of the free liquid level in said vat by said impeller while said liquid is being suppned to said vat.

3. Dishwashlng apparatus comprising a vat, a lliquid supply conduitconnected withl said vat, a liquid supply valve controlling said conduit, an overflow for said vat establishing the maximum free liquid level in said vat, a liquid circulating impeller in said vat, a control 'member for said supply valve, a second control member for said liquid circulating impeller, interlocklng means between said control membersarranged so that when said first control member has been operated Ato open said valve to supply liquid to said vat said second control member cannot be operated to effect the operation of said liquid circulating impeller until said first control member has been operatedto shut off the liquid supply, thereby obviating dlsturbance of the'free ,liquid level in said vat by said liquid circulating impeller `while liquid isbeingsupplied to said vat, a signal device, and means actuated by liquid flowing into said overflow after said liquid level has been established controlling said signal'device to give an indication.

4. Dishwashlng apparatus comprising a vat for receiving dishes toV be cleansed and the cleansing liquid, an impeller in the lower portion of said vat in position to engage the liquid supplied to' thev vat to hurl it upwardly and outwardly in the vat, a motor for operating said impeller, a switch controlling said motor,4 a liquid supply valve for said vat, 'an overflow` for said vat to establish the maximum free liquid level in said vat, and interlooking means between said valve and switch constructed and arranged so that said switch is locked in itsposition to deenergize'said motor as long as said supply valve is open whereby liquid cannot be circulated in said vat while being supplied to the vat, and said valve cannot be opened to supply liquid to said vat while said impeller is Operating so that no more than the desired maximum quantity of water established by said overflow can be circulated by said impeller.

' 5. Dishwashlng apparatus comprising a vat for receiving dishes to be cleansed and the cleansing liquid, an impeller in the lower portion of said vat in position to engage the liquid supplied to the vat to hurlit upwardly and outwardly in the vat,'a motor for operating said impeller, a switch controlling said motor, a liquid supply valve for said vat, an overfiow for said vat to establish the maximum free liquid in said vat, control shafts for said switch and valve, each i having a flattenedv section, and an interlocking bar between said flattened sections looking each shaft against movement when the other has been,

operated either to ,supply liquid to FoRREsT A. wnrxna. 

